Adafruit
Adafruit STEMMA Reflective Photo Interrupt Sensor - TCRT1000
· MPN: ADA5913
The Adafruit STEMMA Reflective Photo Interrupt Sensor uses a TCRT1000 right-angle optical module to detect reflective surfaces. An onboard IR LED emits light...
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The Adafruit STEMMA Reflective Photo Interrupt Sensor uses a TCRT1000 right-angle optical module to detect reflective surfaces. An onboard IR LED emits light, and when an object reflects it back to the IR phototransistor, the output pin drops from high toward 0V — making it easy to detect the presence of nearby objects without contact.
Power it with 3–5V DC via the STEMMA JST-PH connector and read the analogue output directly. An onboard potentiometer adjusts the IR emitter brightness from approximately 1 mA to 100 mA, and a 10K pull-up biases the phototransistor. Green and red LEDs indicate power and detection status (both can be disabled).
Key Features
- TCRT1000 Sensor Module – Right-angle IR LED and phototransistor in one package
- Adjustable IR Brightness – Onboard potentiometer (~1–100 mA emitter current)
- Analogue Output – High when no reflection; drops toward 0V when object detected
- Status LEDs – Green for power, red for detection (both disableable)
- STEMMA JST-PH Connector – Plug-and-play with 3–5V microcontrollers
- No Soldering Required – Ready to use out of the box
Ideal For
- Object and proximity detection
- Line-following robots
- Encoder and revolution counting
- Paper/material detection in feeders
Package Contents
- 1× STEMMA Reflective Photo Interrupt Sensor board (TCRT1000)
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- DC
- DC means direct current, where electricity flows in one constant direction, as supplied by batteries, USB ports and many plug-pack power supplies. When a product specifies DC, it runs from a DC supply rather than mains AC, so you need to provide the correct voltage and polarity.
- encoder
- An encoder is a sensor that converts the rotation or position of a shaft, knob or dial into electrical signals, reporting movement as incremental steps and direction, or as an absolute position. It is used to track how far something has turned, which matters for precise positioning, speed control, repeatable movement, or using a rotary knob as an input.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small electronic component that emits light when current flows through it in the correct direction. Because it only conducts one way, its polarity matters, and a through-hole LED must be soldered the correct way around to light up.
- pH
- A measure of how acidic or alkaline a liquid is, on a scale where 7 is neutral. For a water monitoring kit, pH tells you about water chemistry and whether the included probe matches the range and accuracy your project needs.
- phototransistor
- A light-sensitive transistor that changes its electrical output when light hits it. Compared with a modulated IR receiver, a simple phototransistor can be more affected by ambient light, so it may need extra filtering or careful setup.
- potentiometer
- A variable resistor usually turned with a knob or shaft to create an adjustable electrical signal. It is often used for inputs such as volume, brightness or position, so it helps beginners learn how a microcontroller reads changing values.
- STEMMA
- A plug-and-cable connection system used on some maker electronics boards to make wiring simpler. If a product uses STEMMA, you need the matching cable or connector type to plug it in without soldering.
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